Verdict Destination Amsterdam Athens Barcelona Berlin Boston Chicago Dublin Dubrovnik Florence Lisbon London Los Angeles Madrid Miami New York Nice Paris Prague Rome San Francisco Santorini Tokyo Venice Washington DC Destinations Sign in Attraction · Washington DC
Arlington National Cemetery Hillside of white headstones with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and JFK's eternal flame.
🛡️ Independent — no pay-to-rank🔎 Graded for who you are✓ Verified 2026-06-17How we grade → The verdict
Who it's worth it for
Travellers on a budget Couples Solo travellers History & culture buffs The genuinely curious Photographers Worth it for travellers on a budget, couples and solo travellers; not for families with kids.
Why we say this
Insider secrets & local vibes The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is solemn and unforgettable.
Not independently verified — estimated The hilltop gives superb views back over DC across the Potomac.
Not independently verified — estimated The grounds are large and steep, and as an active cemetery it demands a slow, respectful pace.
Not independently verified — estimated What it feels like
Reading the room, traveller by traveller Solo
A reflective, moving visit best taken slowly and on foot.
Multigenerational
The hills are steep; the paid tram tour is worth it for older visitors.
As a couple
Sober and contemplative rather than romantic, but deeply memorable.
Good to know
Before you go Cost
Free (paid tram tour optional)
Best time Arrive early and time your walk to a Changing of the Guard
Getting there Arlington Cemetery station on the Blue Line is at the entrance
Accessibility Steep terrain; a paid hop-on tram tour covers the key sites for those who can't walk it Alternatives
If it's not your thing, try Was this helpful? 👍 Yes 👎 No Add a tip
Make the most of it
Book through our partner — we may earn a commission, and it never changes the verdict.
Check availability → Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier runs every hour on the hour Oct 1-Mar 31 and every half hour Apr 1-Sep 30. arlingtoncemetery.mil ↗ Free admission; the narrated interpretive tram tour is a separate paid ticket (~$15 adult) sold at the Welcome Center. arlingtontours.com ↗ 🛡️ Independent — no pay-to-rank🔎 Graded for who you are✓ Verified 2026-06-17How we grade →